Thursday, February 14, 2008


World Mahjong Tour Acquires Gaming Software Firm
Los Angeles-based World Mahjong Tour, a Los Angeles-based firm focused on the online, Asian games market, said earlier this week that it has acquired 945i.com, a Chinese gaming software developmnt company. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. 945i.com is based in Chengu, China, and was founded in 2005. The firm develops a number of Chinese casual games, including Chinese Mahjong, Chinese Chess, Go/Weiqi, and Junqi, which are available online. World Mahjong Tour is focused on m (More info...)
posted on Thursday, February 14, 2008(Full story)

WayOutTV Debuts YouTube Channel
Los Angeles-based WayOutTV, a new startup headed by comedian Damon Wayans, said Thursday that it has debuted an official channel on YouTube. According to the firm, the channel will showcase fresh sketch comedy videos produced by Wayans and aspiring young comedians. Financial aspects of the deal were not disclosed. Wayans is reportedly in talks with investors to fund his new video content startup. WayOutTV is the latest entree into the online comedy video market, and follows similar efforts at Fu (More info...)
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Boingo Extends WiFi Network To McDonald's
Los Angeles-based Boingo Wireless, which operates a network of Wi-Fi access points, said today along with Texas-based Wayport that they have inked a deal to give Boingo subscribers access to 9,000 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's restaurants. According to the two companies, Boingo users will have access to Wayport's entire North American network of Wi-Fi hot spots. Wayport is an operator of Wi-Fi hotspots in public locations, including McDonald's U.S. restaurants. The deal between the companies runs for (More info...)
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News Corp. Funds Startup Incubator
SlingShot Labs, a new startup incubator headed by MySpace execs Josh Berman and Colin Digiaro, has reportedly received $15M in funding from MySpace parent News Corp. According to a report in BusinessWeek, the new Santa Monica-based incubator will also include heavy involvement by MySpace CEO Chris DeWolfe. SlingShot Labs is reportedly looking to hire about 40 developers and other employees.
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Gorilla Nation Gets Win At Starwars.com
Los Angeles-based online advertising representation firm Gorilla Nation said Thursday that the firm has been selected to represent inventory for Lucasfilm's Starwars.com web site. Financial impact of the deal was not disclosed. Gorilla Nation said it will sell ads on both the Starwars.com and StarWarsKids.com web sites. Gorilla Nation is backed by Great Hill Partners, and focuses on brand advertisers for online publishers.
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Boingo Wireless Joins Wireless Group
Los Angeles-based Boingo Wireless, which operates a network of Wi-Fi hotspots at airports and other locations, said Thursday that the firm has joined the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA). The WBA is a group of wireless industry firms focused on enabling Wi-Fi roaming. According to Boingo, joining the group allows it to negotiate for access to Wi-Fi hotspots from other members of the group. Other members of the Wireless Broadband Alliance include BT, Orange, StarHub, Swisscom Mobile, T-Mobile, (More info...)
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Citysearch, AOL In Advertising Partnership
West Hollywood-based Citysearch, the online local guide site owned by IAC, and AOL, said today that the two are in a strategic partnership. According to the firms, Citysearch will provide its editorial reviews, merchant videos, photos, and other local content to AOL's properties, including AOL CityGuide, AOL Local Search, and MapQuest. AOL will also include local advertising from Citysearch into its sites. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
posted on Thursday, February 14, 2008(Full story)